'Ellebration' festival set June 30-July 3

June 15, 2011

ELLSWORTH -- The first Ellsworth "Ellebration" festival will tkae place Thursday and Sunday, June 30-July 3, with a weekend full of events celebrating food, family and fun.

Ellebration kicks off on Thursday with the third annual Breezeway Cruise and Banks Township Citizen of the Year award presentation. The cruise starts at 5 p.m. at Boyne Mountain and ends at Royal Farms in Atwood where Irene Shooks, Banks Township Citizen of the Year, will be honored. For more information, visit www.ridethebreezeway.com.

Friday brings a 50's drive-in dinner and softball tournament at the Ellsworth Elementary School Grounds beginning at 5 p.m. The fun continues with a community bonfire featuring s'mores and campfire music at the Ellsworth Community Park from 7-9 p.m.

Saturday begins with the 32-mile Chain-O-Lakes bike tour at 8 a.m.; registration forms can be found atwww.ellebration.com. A pancake breakfast will take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Banks Township Hall, and the softball tournament will continue throughout the day at the Ellsworth Sports Park. At 10 a.m., brings the 47-stop, narrated Historical Trolley Tour and the beginning of the Front Porch Cafe Ice Cream Social on the Community Park grounds. The grand parade will begin at 11 a.m. moving up Center Street then down Main Street ending at the high school. Following the parade, at noon the free kids games and entertainment will begin at the Community Park.

The main event, the roast pork lunch , will be served noon-2:30 p.m. under the pavilion. Additional concessions will be available and live music will featured. Also at noon is an archer demonstration at the new archery range. The horse pull begins at 2 p.m., and at dusk the softball tournament ends and the St. Clair Lake Boat Parade begins. Once dark settles, a fireworks show, presented by the Ellsworth St. Clair Fireworks Committee, will take place with viewing and free parking available at the Ellsworth Sports Park.

The Ellebration weekend will close on Sunday with a community picnic potluck at 2 p.m. under the Community Park pavilion. Beverage and table service will be provided.

Further details are available at www.ellebration.com or on Facebook at Ellsworth Pig Roast. For more information, contact Alana Haley at (231) 360-0676.